A client with a history of heart failure is examined in the outpatient department to investigate the recent onset of peripheral edema and increased shortness of breath. Physical findings include bilateral crackles, a third heart sound (S3), distended neck veins, elevated blood pressure, and pitting edema of the ankles. The nurse documents the severity of pitting edema as +1. What is the best description of this type of edema（）
A. Barely detectable depression when the thumb is released from the swollen area; normal foot and leg contours.
B. Detectable depression of less than 5 mm when the thumb is released from the swollen area; normal foot and leg contours.
C. A 5-to 10-mm depression when the thumb is released from the swollen area; foot and leg swelling.
D. A depression of more than 1 cm when the thumb is released from the swollen area; severe foot and leg swelling.
参考答案：A
解析：
Pitting edema is documented as +1 when depression is barely detectable on release of thumb pressure and when foot and leg contours are normal. A detectable depression of less than 5 mm accompanied by normal leg and foot contours warrants a +2 rating. A deeper depression (5 to 10 mm) accompanied by foot and leg swelling is evaluated as +3. An even deeper depression (more than 1 cm) accompanied by severe foot and leg swelling rates a +4.